Apple-juice-flavored Dressing

THE RECIPE DOCTOR

August 09, 2007|By ELAINE MAGEE

Q: I'm moving to Costa Rica, and I'm addicted to the Poppy-seed Honey Mustard Dressing from the Red Robin Restaurant chain. I always have some in my refrigerator. Please re-create this dressing for me so I can make it wherever I go.

Well, when you ask me to re-create something, you know I'm going to lighten it up at the same time too, don't you? I've not yet had the pleasure of tasting this dressing before this, so I sampled this dressing at the Red Robin in my hometown and now I know why you love it so much. It's a nicely balanced, simply flavored dressing -- the signature dressing for their Crispy Chicken Tender Salad

I used the smart fat oil, canola oil, and only added 4 teaspoons. I was able to keep the amount of oil low by adding 3 tablespoons of apple juice. I also added honey mustard along with ginger and garlic powder. I had to sprinkle in a little bit of sugar because the dressing just wasn't as sweet as it was in the restaurant. This seemed to be the ticket because now it tasted very much like the restaurant sample; just the texture was a little lighter.

, LIGHT POPPY-SEED HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

The nutritional information on the original dressing is unavailable.

* 1/4 cup honey mustard (in the mustard section of most supermarkets)

* 4 teaspoons canola oil

* 3 tablespoons apple juice

* Pinch ground ginger

* Pinch garlic powder

* 2 teaspoons granulated sugar

* 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Put all ingredients in a small food processor or small mixing bowl. Pulse to blend or use a mixer to beat on medium speed until smooth. Serve as a dressing for any salad but it's particularly good with a green salad with sliced or chopped grilled chicken breast or most spinach salads. Makes about 1/2 cup of dressing (4 servings if 2 tablespoons each).